Tonneau Cover! It "Sucks!"

[NMTBRD Rhode Island]

Hate to use terms the teen-agers use, but I just cant stand the constant rattle of the 2002 snap system for the tonneau cover. Wrote Ford and got a call from a woman who didn't know a tonneau cover from a transmission.
This is about my only complaint, except that the Birds aren't up in price. Can't wait till they are discontinued. Maybe people will want them then.😡

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[George]

NMTB/RI:
I'm surprised to hear you have a rattle. I haven't heard of any other 02's that have it from the tonneau cover.
It doesn't seem as though the snaps could be loud enough. On the other hand there have been others that found that the motor for the top was loose and it rattled.
I'd take it back under warranty if I were you. I think it can be fixed.
Also do a search on this site and you may find other type of rattles reported that may be of help.

 

[pbocciardi]

NMTBRD, I second George's comment. I have not heard of any kind of rattle coming from the tonneau cover. My 2002's hard top rattles significantly, but nothing from the tonneau. I would definitely have it checked out.

 

[George]

Rattles?

pbocciardi:
You really shouldn't have any rattle from the hardtop. Next time you remove your hardtop, check inside the receiving hole on the deck. There should be a plastic/rubber guide in there for the hardtop pin to go into. If the top was taken off, not straight up, it could have been pulled out or damaged. Sometimes these come out and when you put the hardtop back on it rattles.
Replacement cost <$10. or you may find it in the well where the soft top is, assuming it's not damaged.
Of course if you live in the cold north you won't know until the springtime anyway.

 

[NMJeff]

I do not have an rattles from the boot or hard top either. Does anyone have any feedback on the soft boot that is now inclduded on the newer models?

 

[MIDAS]

I have an 03 with low low miles and have had the hard top off since 4/03. Just put back on now for winter. Have had NO rattles, noises or anything from top cover as it has been down entire time. At speeds of 70+ I get a little flapping of the cover, but no real noise.
Dennis

 

[Blueoil1]

Haven’t had problems with tonneau cover noise. I have the stock 2002 Ford tonneau cover and a soft travel boot from Z3 Solutions for my Bird. I have no flapping, rattles or noises with either.
Regards - - -

 

[Quickdraw]

I get a little flapping of the cover, but no real noise.

Midas,
What flaps on the boot? I can't imagine that stiff thing flapping if its snapped down and tucked under around the sides & back. I too have a 2002 and usually only snap two of the snaps and have never heard anything from the boot. If spring ever comes I'll try it with the radio at 3/4 volume instead of full and see if I hear it.

 

[MIDAS]

Quickdraw
The boot only flaps in the wind going forward fast.. At speeds at or above 70. I have a 2003 and for a convertible it is great. I have no problems with the boot or car. All I did was list that the boot flaps a little at high speeds. I do not have a wind break on car behind seats. As I remember the 55-57 did the same thing. It has been a while since I have driven an oldie.
I have NO PROBLEM with my 2003 BIRD. It is fantastic for what I bought it for.

DENNIS

 

[Quickdraw]

Paula (2002 yellow/yellow, #4222)

Paula, I remember you from a previous life!

Your success at a car show prompted me to try it. Unfortunately the show I picked to enter was run in a Ford dealers lot and they only had two trophies, one for cars, one for trucks. With one truck and 37 cars entered I didn’t have a chance. Especially with three new unsold Thunderbirds sitting about 200 feet away.

Do you still do car shows or did you quit after your beginners luck trophy? <grin>

 

[clarence mancik]

Hello

This is my first post and I need some help. I have a 2002 bird with the original 2002 boot. I would like to buy a 2003 boot from a Ford dealer but I am not sure it will fit. Has anyone done this ??

 

[Quickdraw]

Yes, the 2003 boot will fit your 2002 however it runs about $500 from the Ford dealer (ouch!) The 2003 does fold down nice but isn't as smooth as the 2002 when installed. You might check out Thunderbird concepts (one of the sponsors here) https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ He has one for $149 that's great for compactness if you're traveling.

EDIT: P.S. Heres a better shortcut: https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com/products.htm

 

[jawill2000]

"BOOT' snaps

I don't know how convertible "boot" covers got to be called passenger compartment "tonneau" covers but I do know if the boot's snaps are not engaged properly i.e. left unsnapped mine rattle.

 

[Sophia]

I think they do that so they can charge you more $$$

 

[loochie]

my .02: I have a 2003, w/2003 boot cover....no problems, no flapping. Sorry, I know this doesn't help you with your problem. If you are installing it properly, maybe the snaps aren't snapping all the way down? Just a thought.